ANSWER Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'answer' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of answer are rejoinder , reply , response , and retort . While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need. // had answers to all their questions

Q: Where would 'rejoinder' be a reasonable alternative to 'answer'?

The synonyms rejoinder and answer are sometimes interchangeable, but rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection. // a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

Q: When would 'reply' be a good substitute for 'answer'?

The meanings of reply and answer largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised. // a point-by-point reply to the accusation

Q: When might 'response' be a better fit than 'answer'?

In some situations, the words response and answer are roughly equivalent. However, response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus. // a response to the call for recruits

Q: In what contexts can 'retort' take the place of 'answer'?

While the synonyms retort and answer are close in meaning, retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack. // she made a cutting retort to her critics

answer 1 of 2

noun

ˈan(t)-sər

Definition of answer

as in response

something spoken or written in reaction especially to a question the standard answer of "Fine, thank you" when asked, "How are you?"

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Relevance

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as in result

something attained by mental effort and especially by computation the answers to the odd-numbered problems are at the back of the book

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as in reaction

action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior a cold stare was her withering answer to that gratuitous insult

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answer

2 of 2

verb

as in to respond

to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction didn't answer right away when the detective asked him where he'd been for the last three hours

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to correspond

to be in agreement on every point sorry, I haven't seen anyone answering to that description

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as in to fulfill

to do what is required by the terms of I don't have a box cutter as such, but will this knife answer the purpose?

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as in to solve

to find an answer for through reasoning try to answer this riddle

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How does the noun answer differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of answer are rejoinder, reply, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

Where would rejoinder be a reasonable alternative to answer?

The synonyms rejoinder and answer are sometimes interchangeable, but rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When would reply be a good substitute for answer?

The meanings of reply and answer largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When might response be a better fit than answer?

In some situations, the words response and answer are roughly equivalent. However, response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

In what contexts can retort take the place of answer?

While the synonyms retort and answer are close in meaning, retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of answer

Noun

If the answer is yes, today’s minimum wage should be closer to $25 per hour. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026 Not all opponents of antisemitism think arming is the answer. — ABC News, 24 July 2026

Verb

That’s one of the questions both Larson and Bronin are trying to answer — on the airwaves and on the campaign trail — in the final weeks of the four-way Democratic primary for Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District. — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026 Boise’s current Historic Preservation Plan — the framework that the city uses to answer those questions today — is almost historic itself, said senior planner Josh Wilson. — Mark Dee july 24, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for answer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for answer

Noun

When teammates learned Skubal could be back in roughly a month, the response in the Tigers clubhouse was visceral.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
In response, Tehran warned that that any US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would be treated as an expansion of the war in the region, state media reported early Wednesday.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of response

Noun

Shell’s results were the highest since the second quarter of 2022, weeks after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

— Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
So, what exactly are AI tokens, how does AI tokenomics work, and when should businesses stop counting tokens and focus on results?

— Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of result

Noun

For Toyama, the reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with some even expressing envy.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Yet in a room full of journalists, Trump’s attacks on figures like CNN’s Kaitlan Collins were met with stone-faces from those who were well aware their reactions could be caught on C-SPAN cameras.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 July 2026

Definition of reaction

Verb

After police responded to the scene, Kim peered outside her window to see Elijah Bieniemy being led away in handcuffs Sunday evening.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
Markets have broadly responded positively to the pause, with stocks rallying and oil prices falling on Monday, with sentiment buoyed by the potential for a lasting peace agreement.

— Mike Sheen, CNBC, 28 July 2026

Definition of respond

Verb

On Tuesday, the Cardinals optioned right-hander Hunter Dobbins to Triple-A immediately after a harsh outing against the Chicago Cubs, a move that corresponded with the addition of a new reliever.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled outfielder John Rave from Triple-A Omaha.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026

Definition of correspond

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answer

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Style

“Answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answer. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of answer

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verb

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Synonyms of answer

noun

verb

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